* 12 Flashcards
1
Q
chromosomes
A
- building material: chromatin – complex of DNA + proteins
- each consists of one very long, LINEAR DNA molecule associated w/ many proteins
- when not dividing, each chromosome is in the form of a long, thin chromatin fiber; condenses (coils and folds) only after DNA replication
2
Q
sister chromatids
A
- each chromatid contains an identical DNA molecule
- initially attached all along their lengths by protein complexes called COHESINS; this attachment is known as SISTER CHROMATID COHESION
- each sister chromatid has a CENTROMERE, a region containing specific DNA sequences where the chromatid is attached most closely to its sister chromatid (this attachment is mediated by proteins bound to the centromeric DNA sequences)
3
Q
kinetochore
A
- structure of proteins associated w/ specific sections of chormosomal DNA at each centromere
- spindle microtubules attach during prometaphase
4
Q
polar microtubules
A
- microtubules that don’t attach to kinetochores
- elongate
- by metaphase they overlap and interact w/ other nonkinetochore microtubues form the opposite pole
5
Q
cell elongation
A
- nonkinetochore microtubules do it during anaphase
- nonkinetochore microtubules from opposite poles overlap e/o extensively during metaphase; during anaphase, the region of overlap is reduced as motor proteins attached to the microtubues walk them away from one another, using energy from ATP
- as the microtubues push apart from e/o, their spindle poles are pushed apart, elongating the cell
- at the same time, the microtubules lengthen somewhat by the addition of tubulin subunits to their overlapping ends, so the microtubules continue to overlap
6
Q
chromosomal poleward movement
A
- “Pacman” mechanism: motor proteins on the kinetochores “walk” the chromosomes along the microtubules, which depolymerize at their kinetochore ends after the motor proteins have passed
- chromosomes are “reeled in” by motor proteins at the spindle poles; microtubues depolymerize after they pass by these motor proteins
7
Q
cytokinesis
A
begins during anaphase/telphase
8
Q
cell cycle time
A
- interphase: 90 percent
- M phase: <1hr
- S phase: 10-12 h
- G1: 5-6 h (most variable in length in diff cell types)
- G2:4-6 h
- each cell: 1 division in 24 hours
9
Q
cleavage furrow
A
- shallow groove in cell surface near the old metaphase plate
- on the cytoplasmic side is a contractile ring of actin microfilaments associated w/ myosin molecules
- the two proteins interact, causing the ring to contract
- the contraction of the microfilament is like the pulling of a drawstring
10
Q
bacterial proteins
A
- one resembling actin functions in chromosome movement
- one related to tubulin helps pinch plasma membrane inward
11
Q
binary fission
A
- cell grows to 2x its size then divides to form 2 cells
- initiated when the DNA begins to replicate at a specific place on the chromosome called the ORIGIN OF REPLICATION
- soon after, one origin copy moves toward the other end of the cell
- replication finishes, plasma membrane grows inward, new cell wall deposited, 2 daughter cells result
12
Q
cell division: dinoflagellates
A
- chromosomes attach to nuclear envelope, which remains intact during cell division
- microtubules pass thru nucleus inside cytoplasmic tunnels, reinforcing the spatial orientation of the nucleus, which then divides in a process reminiscent of bacterial binary fission
13
Q
cell division: diatoms and some yeasts
A
- nuclear envelope remains intact
- microtubues form spindle within nucleus
- microtubues separate chromosomes; nucleus splits into 2 daughter nuclei
14
Q
G0 phase
A
- G1 checkpt is most impt
- if go-ahead signal isn’t received, cell will exit cycle, switching into nondividing state called G0
- most cells of human body are in G0 phase
15
Q
anaphase
A
- commences suddenly when the cohesins holding together the sister chromatids of each chromosome are cleaved by an enzyme called SEPARASE
- once the chromatids become separate, full-fledged chromosomes, they move toward opposite ends of the cell